[closed post] war council

[protagonisthalo]

Luo Binghe wants to find and kill Aornis immediately, and if Shen Yuan's death was more recent, he would do so. But he's had time to ruminate on what happened, and speaking to Shen Yuan through Lan Wangji—and watching his new body grow—has settled some of the frantic animal need for revenge. His rage has not dimmed in the slightest. But he has some practice enduring it while he waits for his time.

The fact is that Luo Binghe already fought Aornis once and lost. And that was two against one, with Shen Yuan at his side. He has some idea of why—Shen Yuan lost his cultivation, and Xin Mo turned on him—but since he cannot remember, there could have been other factors. And since Lan Wangji has concealed information from him before on this matter, he cannot rashly charge into a fight without ensuring he knows everything there is to know.

Thus, he is looking for Magnus. This would be so much easier if the mansion were like Luo Binghe's palace, where all his wives and inner circle have taken his blood. How can anyone tolerate how inefficient it is to look for people?

Comments

[protagonisthalo]

Luo Binghe hesitates. "It could be useful. If we faced each other without weapons, I would undoubtedly be the stronger. But... Do you intend to fight with me? I had anticipated doing so alone."

[summerdude]

"I don't want to," he admits. "But if I have to, I will. You... you really shouldn't fight her alone."

[protagonisthalo]

"I'm used to it."

[summerdude]

"Dude," says Magnus, very seriously. "No man is an island." There's, like, an entire movie about it^*. "And if I've learned anything from all the battles I've fought, the easiest way to overcome someone who doesn't have people -- like Loki; he had an army but they didn't care about him or his reasons, they just cared about stirring things up -- is by having a community." His hand flexes into a fist, fingernails biting into his palm. "She doesn't have people. You need to have people. If I have to be 'people...' if Hanguang-jun can't help... I will."


*He's thinking about About a Boy.

[protagonisthalo]

Luo Binghe has to swallow back the sudden tightness of his throat. "What you say is reasonable. And... very kind. I hope it will not come to that." Shen Yuan wouldn't like to see Magnus in danger. And Luo Binghe wouldn't either.

[summerdude]

"It would be so stupid for you to die trying to avenge Shen Yuan," says Magnus, stoutly. "So don't. I'm pretty sure anyone here would be willing to help in some way, honestly, given everything she's done."